Top 10 Best Video Game Characters: Ranked & Explained

Have you ever wondered why some video game characters stay in your mind forever? They turn simple gameplay into exciting moments, emotional stories, and memories that players never forget.

This article lists the top 10 best video game characters by looking at what makes them truly great. It covers their popularity, their growth throughout their games, and their importance to their stories and worlds. Whether you enjoy platformers, RPGs, or action games, these characters have shaped gaming for decades. Get ready to see why icons like Mario and Lara Croft are still loved today, with simple explanations and fun facts along the way for the best video game character of all time.

Ranking Factors

These are the three main factors used to rank the best video game characters, so the list feels fair and easy to follow.

1. Popularity
This looks at how famous a character is, along with the size of their fanbase and how often they pop up in games or other media. You see various Characters in tons of games,s crossovers, movies, and memes rank higher because so many people know and love them.​

2. Character Development
This will help you check how much a character changes or grows across their games. Real emotions, strong backstories, and big moments make them feel alive and memorable instead of flat or simple.​

3. Story Importance
This is an important factor to check how key the character is to the main story. If the game or series would not work without them or they shape the world and other people, they score higher.

Top 10 Best Video Game Characters

These ten best video game characters are chosen because they are iconic, deeply written, and key to the stories and worlds they belong to.

Mario

The video game character everyone over 30 knows as "Super Mario" was created by Nintendo. He was an Italian plumber with a happy disposition who became the most recognized character in video gaming history. Not only did Mario's games create the guideline of what to expect from a fun platformer, but they also created the benchmark that all platformers are judged on. Mario has a distinctive red hat and is known for being able to jump quite high. Making it part of the best video game characters. Lists like Most Expensive Games on Steam often highlight iconic titles, but this article focuses on the hearts of those games, the characters themselves.

Lara Croft

Lara Croft is a brave explorer who travels into ancient ruins, forgotten temples, and dangerous places while searching for hidden treasures and powerful artifacts. She became an important figure in gaming because she was one of the first major female heroes who broke stereotypes and inspired many players. Over the years, Lara changed from a simple action hero into a more human and emotional character who deals with fears, tough decisions, and growth, making her adventures feel exciting and meaningful at the same time for the best game characters.

Link

Link is the quiet hero from The Legend of Zelda series, and he is known for carrying a sword and shield while exploring dungeons, solving puzzles, and protecting Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from dark forces like Ganon. What makes Link special is that every game shows a new version of him, but he always represents courage, kindness, and determination. His stories mix adventure and emotion in a way that lets players feel like they are stepping into a magical world where every quest matters.

Master Chief

Master Chief, aka John-117, was created as a super soldier in the Halo series. He has been engaged in combat against Alien Armies and other beings that threaten the extinction of mankind throughout the series. Although there are very few glimpses of his actual face throughout these final games, he is still one of the most well-known characters currently represented in video gaming. The overarching story has felt more significant because of the dedication and commitment that Master Chief has to accomplishing his mission. Even players who love building worlds in the Top 10 Best City Builder Games in 2025 can appreciate how these characters helped shape gaming history.

Kratos

Kratos, on the other hand, is portrayed as a very hostile and aggressive character when all the other characters' stories are introduced in the God of War series. Kratos' journey in the newer series has transitioned from one of vengeance toward the Greek gods to a very positive journey in which he attempts to guide his son, Atreus, as they survive in a world heavily influenced by Norse mythology. As players have experienced the growth and transformation of Kratos from a very angry warrior to a loving father, they appreciate him as a real person with the same flaws and motivations.

Sonic

Sonic the Hedgehog is a fast and energetic blue hero who loves speeding through colorful levels while collecting rings and stopping the plans of Dr. Robotnik, also known as Eggman. Sonic’s bold attitude and incredible speed made him the main mascot of Sega, and he became a global icon through games, TV shows, and movies. His rivalry with Mario also became one of the most famous moments in gaming history and helped shape the early console wars.

Geralt of Rivia

Geralt of Rivia is a monster hunter known as a Witcher, and he travels through a dark fantasy world, taking dangerous jobs and dealing with complicated relationships, especially with Ciri and Yennefer. Players love Geralt because his stories are full of moral choices where decisions are rarely good or bad, just difficult. The Witcher 3 turned him into a worldwide star because it showed how storytelling, characters, and consequences can create an unforgettable experience.

Solid Snake

Solid Snake is a masterful stealth operative featured in the video game series, "Metal Gear." He infiltrates enemy installations while remaining undetected and fights against the enigmatic organization known for the development of the Metal Gear weapon. Through a compelling storyline, the series focuses on Solid Snake's mental and emotional turmoil while addressing issues of warfare, personal identity, and the consequences of overall power and control.

Pikachu

Pikachu is a popular electric-type Pokémon that represents the entire Pokémon franchise. Within the context of video games, Pikachu utilizes electric-type moves, but within animation and film, Pikachu serves as a loyal companion to trainers such as Ash. Pikachu's innocent appearance and warmhearted personality contributed to the global success of Pokémon and Pikachu as the best game characters, performing admirably as one of the most recognizable Best video game characters of all time in history.

Ellie

Ellie is one of the main characters from The Last of Us, and she begins her journey as a young girl who is immune to a deadly infection. Over time, she becomes a strong but emotionally complicated survivor who faces heartbreaking events and difficult choices. Ellie stands out because her storytelling, emotions, and relationships feel incredibly real, showing how video games can deliver the same level of drama and depth as movies and TV shows. You can also check the best characters in Free Fire